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Slugging Smith named NL Player of Week

Slugging Smith named NL Player of Week

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By Rhett Bollinger
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MLB.com |

Rockies left fielder Seth Smith, who last week led the Majors in batting average, slugging percentage, runs and total bases, was named the National League Player of the Week presented by Bank of America for the period ending Sept. 6.

In six games last week, Smith led all of baseball with a .542 batting average, a 1.250 slugging percentage, 10 runs scored and 30 total bases. The 26-year-old also tied for baseball's top mark with five doubles, four home runs and 10 RBIs while also posting a .607 on-base percentage.

Smith had two breakout games: In one, he established a career high for in hits in a game, and in another, he established highs in both home runs and RBIs in a game.

On Friday, Smith had a career-high four hits and drove in three runs to push the Wild Card-leading Rockies to a 5-4 win over the D-backs at Coors Field.

Just two days later, he hit a two-run homer and a three-run homer against Arizona for his first multi-homer game while also setting a career best with five RBIs in a game.

Entering play on Tuesday, Smith, the former University of Mississippi reserve quarterback behind Eli Manning, is hitting .318 with 15 home runs and 48 RBIs. This is his first career weekly award.

Other noteworthy performers last week included closer Francisco Cordero, whose five saves and seven strikeouts helped the Reds secure a seven-game winning streak, and Brewers infielder Casey McGehee, who tied Smith for the NL lead with 10 RBIs.

Also considered were Marlins rookie left fielder Chris Coghlan, who led the Majors with 15 hits, and his teammate Jorge Cantu, who collected 14 hits and eight RBIs.

Smith's teammate, left-hander Jorge De La Rosa, was also considered after going 2-0 with a 1.64 ERA and 10 strikeouts.

Rhett Bollinger is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.